[The use of Dental D (polyacetal resin) as an alternative for chrome-cobalt removable partial denture: a case report]

Polyacetal resin (Delrin) is well known material in many medical fields as for artificial heart valves and artificial hip joints. In dentistry the material is known as Dental D, and among its other applications, is used for removable partial dentures. The article presents a cleft lip and palate patient with missing teeth (12 and 22). The patient underwent on operations for closure of the cleft, but even so some sinus tracts from the nasal cavity to the soft and hard palate exist. The patient was rehabilitated 10 years ago with chrome-cobalt removable partial denture, but lately, episodes of swelling and burning sensation were reported. The patient was diagnosed (by the allergy clinic in Hadassah hospital) as allergic to chrome-cobalt. Some optional treatment plans were offered to the patient (fixed, which involved an operation of closing the fistulas, and then a fixed restoration, another option was removable denture with Dental D). The patient chose to be rehabilitated with Dental D removable partial denture, which closes the fistulas and reconstructs the missing teeth. Due to the physical properties of the Dental D, its biocompatibility and the improved esthetics results, the Dental D can be a good alternative for the chrome-cobalt removable partial denture. The esthetic results with the Dental D, as far better than the conventional partial denture.